Watch your thoughts, they become your words: 08  Drive me Home

I gritted my teeth, eyes locked on the screen. What kind of twisted game was this?

Fear clawed at my gut, sharper than anything I'd felt before. I'd dealt with prank calls, threats—but this was different. This was real. A cold, unrelenting terror.

The voice, rough and distorted, crackled through again. "Hit the gas."

"Why?" My voice was barely steady.

"No questions. Hit. The. Gas."

"Who are you?"

"Hit the gas. NOW."

"Eh, paano kung ayaw ko? Come on, you think I'd fall fof this—" I froze as the monitor flickered, showing Chad's car parked outside the school gate, waiting for me.

A wave of fear crashed over me but it quickly shifted into a hot surge of anger.
"Ano bang problema mo? Stop this! You don't know who you are messing with!"

Biglang tumahimik ang kabilang linya ngunit sumunod ang nakakalokong pag tawa ng kung sino sa huli.

"Kids..." the voice sneered, sounding like a nail scraping inside my ears. "If I were you, Croce, I'd hit the gas. Or your friends' heads blow up in flames. The car's rigged."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and ny grip tightened on the wheel. My mind raced, my heart pounding. How the heck did it even know my fucking name? Pressure was closing in, squeezing every ounce of doubt from my bones.

"Clock's ticking,'" the voice taunting, "Hit. The. Gas."

The words rang through the tense air, sending a flood of urgency and panic through every fiber of my body. He couldn't be serious, could he? "Now... Croce. Hit it now!"

Unable to comprehend the fact that the voice had mentioned my name for the freaking second time... It was a name that only those close to my family knew.

I couldn't even breathe, startled, attempting to absorb the consequences of the situation. 

My hands trembled as I tightly gripped the wheel, nararamdaman ko na ang panunuyot ng aking lalamunan habang matindi ang pag pipigil ko sa kabang kanina ko pa pilit na tinatanggal.

I felt paralyzed, unsure of what to do next. The pressure from the call weighed on me like an invisible snake, tightening its grip around my lungs.

Impatiently, the voice exclaimed, "What's taking you so long? Do you want your friend to die—?!" 

Frustrated, I snapped back, "Alright! Just shut the hell up!" 

 In response, the voice laughed mockingly and shouted, "HAHAHA, then do it, you dipshit! Make it a hundred." 

 Confused and alarmed, I questioned, "What? Are you insane?!" 

The voice grew more menacing, warning, "Hit it, or you'll be losing two lives just to spare one!"

What did he mean by that???

Despite my lack of understanding of the seriousness of the situation, I found myself almost reflexively obeying the command, pressing down on the accelerator pedal until the meter's hand hit an astounding 100 miles per hour.

Every nerve in my body appeared to pulse with eagerness, fueled by a combination of terror and adrenaline, as I drove the car forward with frantic purpose.

"Drive straight and hit it."

"What? Hitting what?!" I muttered.

"Hit it! Hit it! Hit it!"

The distorted voice kept repeating, each word pushing me closer to the edge. I stared at the screen, watching Chad's car, but it just sat there—frozen. No people, no movement, nothing.

Frustration boiled over. I pounded the dashboard, cursing. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Then, in a heartbeat, the feed cut to black. Naputol ang tawag and I barely had time to react before a flicker of movement pulled my gaze to the windshield—a girl appeared, right there, standing in the middle of the ground.

Shock locked me in place, my pulse freezing as her silhouette loomed through the glass.

Horror seized me as I slammed on the brakes, but there was no way to avoid her!

Gripping the wheel, I shut my eyes tight, hoping—praying—I wouldn't hit her. The brakes screamed, ending in a loud, jarring halt.

I sat there, frozen, breathless, trying to process what had just happened. Then, slowly, reality snapped back, and I shook my head in shock.

"Holy crap," I muttered, sliding out of the driver's seat.

Panic shot through me as I saw the woman lying on the ground. I sprinted toward her, dropping to my knees and shaking her frantically.

"Hey, are you okay?! Answer me!" I shouted, scanning her for any signs of injury. Ny heart jumped when her eyes suddenly snapped open.

"Shit!" I screamed as she lunged at me, knocking me flat onto the ground. She was on top on me in an instant. Her hands gripping my collar with wild eyes.

Agad namang nangunot ang aking noo ng makita ang kanyang pagmumukha.

"Rubianna?!" I gasped, barely processing the shock.

Her grip tightened on my collar, eyes blazing with fury. "Who sent you?"

"W-what?" I stammered, confusion and panic mixing in my mind.

She yanked me closer, her face inches from mine. "Who the fuck gave you orders? Speak up, Cargael Cross!"

My heart pounded as I struggled beneath her hold, the weight of her question pressing down on me as heavily as her grip.

"Hindi ko alam ang pinagsasabi mo, okay? Are you out of your mi—heuk!"
gusto ko sanang matakot kung papaanong nagbago ang galaw ng kanyang mga mata ngunit hindi ko kinakaya ang higpit ng kanyang mga kamay sa aking leeg.

"Rubya... naa... S-stop. Please?" I pleaded, gasping as her grip tightened even harder.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her eyes sharp and unyielding.

"Cross... Cargael Cross, G—damn it!" I sputtered, squirming under her hold, but she didn't let up.

"Are you here to kill me?"

Her voice suddenly cracked, breaking through her anger as tears spilled down her cheeks, leaving trails across her terror-stricken face. Her breathing grew shaky, and her grip on my collar loosened, her fingers trembling as if drained of all strength.

I lay still, stunned, as I watched her fall apart, her silent sobs tearing through the quiet. Her red, exhausted eyes met mine, carrying a depth of pain that needed no words. She looked at me, pleading, as though she'd carried too many burdens for too long and was at her breaking point.

Then, all at once, she collapsed forward. Her head came to rest on my shoulder, her weight pressing gently against me as her body gave in to exhaustion. I felt her shuddering breaths against my neck, and instinctively, my arms lifted slightly, hesitant, unsure.

The fierceness, the fury—all of it seemed to drain from her, leaving only the fragile figure clinging to me in the silence.

I furrowed my brow, realizing her disheveled appearance, perplexed by her sudden presence in the middle of the school grounds and the state of her clothes.

Saan ba siya galing at nag muka siyang dinaanan ng pitong bagyo? Agad ko namang naalala ang sinabi niya kanina. She said she was making up her output, that means she came from sir Pedran's office?

Hindi ko alam ngunit bumuhay ang kakaibang kutob sa aking kalooban.
"Are you okay?" I finally managed to ask but she remained silent.

"I've really just got out from hell," she mumbled.

"From Pedran's office?" pagkaklaro ko at ramdam kong may halong galit sa'king boses.

"I think I'm pregnant..."

"What are you saying?"

"Hell, fucked me so hard," she whispered, her voice strained.

"You're out of your mind," I murmured, utterly bewildered by her.
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RUBY'S POV

I briefly saw myself standing somewhere and knew that everyone and everything around me, including myself, will die one day.

In the midst of a crowd, people watch as I twist and shift into distorts of colors, losing my capacity to be identified as someone who exists.

And since I wasn't a human anymore, the thought of me having emotions seemed nonsensical. I'll be nothing more than a shapeless mass occupying space in a strange new world.

I simply continued gazing on his broad chest while I pondered what was currently happening to me. Those crap are getting me insane.

Maybe attending class isn't the best choice after all. Dapat talaga hindi na ako pumasok. I had all my bucket-list checked and had no reason to live, so why the hell I am hear for Pete's sake?

That nightmare was already a sign of my doom and I should have take it seriously. It's only been weeks in this country but it already feels like this place might be the end of me.

Dito na siguro nakatadhana ang kamatayan ko. Rolds could have gave my death calendar to my grim ripper.

Pero sana naman, madaliin nila! Hindi ganitong dinahan-dahan pa. Gusto ko ng santong pas-pasan eh.

Kainis.

Fuck with that cat!

A double middle finger to that ass faced lecturer!

And curse to this man and to his goddamn car!

I feel a bizarre urge to laugh while lying on top of him. Nakakalito at nakakawindang ang ganito. I can't quite grasp my own state of mind. It's like my soul's been split in two, leaving only half of me tethered to whatever remains of my sanity.

One part of me feels drained and weary, while the other half seems strangely enjoying by this new and unfamiliar experience. This peculiar sensation has thrown me into a whirlwind of emotions, leaving me utterly bewildered as every feeling seems to merge and churn within me.

Gusto ko sanang masuka, pero nilunok ko nalang 'yon.

I'm torn between which side of me to reveal, which version he should witness. I'm at a loss about how to act around someone I barely know. Yet, for a moment, I questioned why I should even concern myself with how anyone perceives me right now?

Well, only one person saw the real me.

I've never been shy about expressing myself in front of him, openly acting and speaking my mind. Despite the fact that I'm acting stupid in front of everyone else, I'm perfectly aware of my actions, and no one has seen through this facade before it fades.

In reality, no one has ever seen past the surface of my eyes. Someone who tries to look into them is met with a quiet scream, as my eyes seem to protest violently whenever someone tries to look further.

I glanced up at Cross and was taken aback to find him staring right into my eyes, completely unafraid.

His gaze was innocent, filled with wonder. How could that be?

It was the same way he looked at me this morning. I thought I was just imagining things then, but now, witnessing this, I felt confused. I stayed silent for a moment, simply staring back at him.

"What, you'll just lie in there?" he asked, his voice annoyed yet concerned.

The amount of emotion I can see in it makes me feel like I'm seeing a wonderful play in an orchestra.

"Hey, I'm asking you."

"Can I gouge your eyes?" I murmured, seemingly out of nowhere.

I just want to look at his eyes more closely. I'll just stare at it, and I'll never grow weary of the emotional drama that unfolds within the amazing metaphor and beauty.

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I want his eyes!
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He let out a sigh. "Can you cut it? My body's already sore and soaked from your tears."

"Pwede bang sagasaan mo'ko ulit?" I blurted out. Oh crap, I couldn't stop myself. I clenched my teeth and looked down, embarrassment flooding over me. I needed to snap out of this daydream.

"C'mon, it's already dark. We can't just lie here all night. I'll take you to the hospital..." He shifted, propping himself up and effortlessly lifting me onto his lap, ready to carry me.

But before he could move, I jumped off, scrambling to my feet. "No, I can't," I said quickly, my heart racing as I tried to steady myself.

I avoided his gaze, even as he kept trying to meet my eyes, confusion and concern swirling in his. Bigla naman akong nakaramdam ng pananakit sa ulo kaya mariin akong napa pikit sabay hila sa aking buhok.

"Fuck..." he suddenly muttered and went near me with big steps. "You're bleeding." aniya kaya napahawak din ako saking ilong.

Damn, blood.

Agad ko na sanang ipapahid ang aking mga palad ngunit mabilis itong nakahila sa kanyang necktie at ginawang panyo para mapunasan ang dugong tumutulo saking ilong.

I sighed and I turned to face him, my gaze dropping to his foot. "Thank you," I muttered.

"Yeah? I could have killed you just now."

"No, you cant."

"You sound pretty sure of yourself."

"Before you could, i'd have already ripped your heart out."

"That's gruesome yet you say it like you've done it before." I noticed how his face crumpled.

"Multiple times?"

"Enough with your stubbornness. Let me drop you at the hospital," he said, voice tense.

"I said, I can't go."

"Don't be ridiculous. Blood's still pouring from your nose!"

"I'm aware," I replied. "I'm the one feeling it."

He sighed, "Just let me take you—"

"Are you feeling guilty?" I asked, watching his reaction.

He hesitated. "It was an accident—"

"Was it?"

He swallowed hard, looking rattled. I wondered if he was hiding something but decided to let it go.

"Your car did a number on me," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But fine, I'll take your word. Let's just... move on."

"Damn, like I could just forget it," he muttered, though he seemed to calm down a bit. "What can I do?"

I groaned, feeling both exhausted and irritated. I just wanted to get home and avoid his gaze before I lost my patience. But my back was killing me, and I couldn't believe I'd even bothered explaining things to him.

"I'm gonna drive you home..." alok niya bigla na talaga namang kina-ugtas ng pasensya ko. Sino naman kaya ang tangang sasakay sa alok niya matapos mang sagasa ng tao?

Binalingan ko siya ng tingin...parang gusto ko nalang dukutin ang leeg niya para managutan siya ng hininga... "No, need." maikling sagot ko.

"I insist... Hindi ka rin naman makaka-alis." agad ko siyang pinagkunutan ng noo. Tinitigan ko siya, nagtatanong kung bakit... "'Cause I won't let you."

My mind went silent upon hearing what he said. Natulala ako sa sapatos niyang mukang mamahalin. I knew I was in denial for a few seconds but I don't really like the dominance he's emanating right now.

His audacity saying those words as if like he's pertaining to a fragile woman who can't go home on her own.

I scoffed. HARD! I finally reached a conclusion regarding my hypothesis... This person is definitely under the influence of drugs. 

"I surrender," I sighed, feeling a sense of resignation. "Drive me home..." I reluctantly requested.

Though, I didn't submit to this drug addict. My only desire was for this ordeal to come to an end.

To be continued...